The Manarai, alternatively spelled Menarai, was a prestigious restaurant situated within Monument Plaza of the Manarai Mountains on Coruscant. This establishment was ingeniously integrated into the mountainside of Umate, its highest peak. Tavvar Va'ran held the position of Master Chef there, widely regarded as the second most skilled Kubaz chef throughout the galaxy.
During the Galactic Empire's rule, the Manarai was known as the most exclusive dining location on Coruscant. It stood proudly on a tall spire within Monument Plaza. Even if potential patrons could afford the incredibly high prices, management approval was still required. Booking a table necessitated making reservations months in advance. However, the experience was considered worthwhile, as dining at the Manarai was described as extraordinary. The restaurant's structure included multiple levels, guaranteeing every guest a sweeping view through the transparisteel walls, allowing them to appreciate Monument Park and the Coruscant cityscape.
The restaurant's staff was as refined and polished as its clientele. The chefs, celebrated throughout the galaxy, were carefully selected by talent scouts dedicated to discovering unique and appealing cuisines. One such chef was Master Chef Tavvar Va'ran, a Kubaz male. All serving staff members underwent thorough screening and training by the Imperial Center's leading protocol experts. Security was a paramount concern at the Manarai, ensuring that patrons could enjoy their meals without external disturbances or personal conflicts. Customers who failed to meet the establishment's standards were rarely permitted to return. The Manarai went to great lengths to satisfy even the most particular culinary preferences, from acquiring the finest ingredients from across the Empire and beyond to employing specialized harvester and hunters for rare delicacies. Signature dishes included:
- Fleek eel cooked in zaffa oil
- Stuffed yams
- Plicto steak
- Giant Ithorian snail in flounut butter
- Kashyyyk land shrimp
- Wroonian flycatcher filet
- Sufar greens with mecolar briddlings and drezzle sauce
- Moonglow [3]
Prince Xizor and Guri were the only confirmed co-owners. Speculation suggested that a Hutt clan lord, a coalition of Core World Moffs, and an Imperial Advisor also held shares in the Manarai. The management made sure the restaurant itself remained the focus of attention. As a co-owner, Xizor had unrestricted access and a permanently reserved table. Anyone dining at, or with reservations for, that table during his visits were automatically required to relinquish it.